Results tagged ‘ Jim Tracy ’

Haven’t heard much substantial regarding the Pirates today, as impending deals with free agent pitchers Scott Olsenand Kevin Correiaare at a standstill and awaiting physicals. Neither is likely to be done by the time everyone departs the Winter Meetings on Thursday. But they should be finalized not long after.

A few thoughts/notes/pure speculation/analysis regarding other activity today:

It’s unknown if the Pirates’ acquisition of two starting pitchers will push the club to start focusing more on other needs than on adding starting depth. On the other hand, you can’t have too much starting pitching. And neither Olsen or Correia are exactly coming off banner years, so the Pirates would do well to keep looking for additional options.

The Pirates are still in the market for a right-handed hitting first baseman or right fielder. Matt Diaz, who was non-tendered by Atlanta last week, seemed like one option that could be a good fit. However, Diaz seems to be a target for a lot of teams, so the Pirates might be squeezed out of a shot at him.

Josh Willingham, who the Nationals are making known is available in a trade, is another interesting name. Willingham would cost some money — he made $4.6 million last year and is arbitration eligible for the third time this offseason. He would also only be guaranteed to stay for one year, which could be a turnoff to the Pirates. But he has some pop, and if the Nationals need to clear some salary room for their big offseason spending plans, they might be willing to give up Willingham for not so hefty a return. Just a thought.

Former Pirates hitting coach Don Long was in Orlando on Tuesday interviewing to be the Mets’ hitting coach. I’d imagine that had something to do with Jason Bay, who credits Long with turning him around in 2008.

A report surfaced not long ago saying that talks were heating up between the Orioles and Rays for a Jason Bartlett - Nolan Reimold swap. If that comes to frutition, that would take Barlett off the Pirates’ list for potential shortstop upgrades.

After what we all saw at Wrigley Field on Monday night, it’s pretty remarkable that Capps missed only two games.

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Apparently, whatever is going on with right-hander Tyler Yates (right elbow inflammation) must be more serious than the Pirates are letting on. After having a round of tests earlier this week, Yates is going to have some more tests now, according to Russell.

Not much more was said on his status, but it’s not sounding like he’s going to be back pitching real soon. He is eligible to come off the DL on Sunday, but there is still no timetable for him to begin his return to pitching program.

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With Yates out indefinitely, then what about Tom Gorzelanny? Asked Russell if there was an urgency to get Gorzelanny back in the Triple-A rotation and it sounds like the Pirates could make a decision to send the lefty back to Indy pretty soon if there is not an opportunity for Gorzelanny to get some innings in. He last pitched on Monday.

“We’ll look at it,” Russell said. “We don’t want to go too long. He’s done some throwing and it’s been more than one inning, so we feel like he’s been stretched out enough. But at some point we have to make a decision. He’s done a nice job, but I think as an organization we’d like to see him do that as a starter now – take that intensity and start. He hasn’t pitched in three days. If it goes too much longer than we’ll have to get him out to where he can get back on his rotation.”

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Your update on reliever Craig Hansen will have to wait a bit longer. I’ve been told we’ll be getting work on his latest rounds of test results later this evening. Hansen supposedly had tests done earlier this week as well, but the results of those have not yet been released either.

That said, I’m not sure the prognosis is great. Doctors have had a hard time identifying why Hansen is being bothered by neck/back spasms.

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And some other odds and ends…

Former Pirates manager Jim Tracy is back managing again. The Rockies fired manager Clint Hurdle earlier today and promoted Tracy, who was the Rockies’ bench coach, to the managerial helm.

Righty Ian Snell threw a side session off the mound at PNC Park to work specifically on his delivery out of the stretch and at throwing inside to lefties. The side session was more intense than a normal in-between starts one is.

The Pirates have traded Double-A infielder Anderson Machado to the Cubs for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Machado was with the Major League team during Spring Training, but was with the organization solely to provide some Minor League depth.

The Pirates have signed RHP Scott Nestor as a Minor League free agent. Nestor has been assigned to Double-A Altoona. Nestor was most recently in the Phillies organization.

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